Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions – Information for Homestay Hosts

· Additional hosting requirements

There are added requirements for hosting students during Covid-19 pandemic in order to reduce the transmission of the virus. In general, it is important to bear in mind that the current situation is evolving very rapidly, meaning that the chances of last-minute changes and cancellations are higher than usual. For that reason, we are currently unable to honour the one week’s notice in case of students returning home early or cancelling short notice. We require a bit more flexibility from you than we would normally in the current climate. We will continue to help, support and update you throughout. By agreeing to host students during the pandemic, hosts agree to the following additional requirements:

· Even more so than usual, communal areas will need to be maintained to the highest degree of cleanliness.

· Self-isolate should their students start showing symptoms of Covid-19, as well as all other household members for 7 or 14 following government guidelines.

· Allow students to self-isolate should they have to quarantine on arrival to the UK or if you or anyone in your household show symptoms.

· Provide anti-bacterial soap as standard and a good supply of anti-bacterial gel

· Provide additional cleaning supplies (gloves, bin bags, disinfecting spray etc)

Hosting a student during the Covid-19 pandemic means that you might have to self-isolate with your student. This could happen in any of the following circumstances:

· Your student or anyone else in your household gets sick. Symptomatic individuals should isolate for 7 days (or longer if the symptoms persist). Everyone else in your household should self-isolate for 14 days. If symptoms appear during self-isolation, the symptomatic individual should isolate for seven days from that point (even if this means self-isolating for longer than 14 days).

· Students from certain countries might have to self-isolate for 14 days when arriving to the UK (quarantine) This will be discussed with you at the time of booking.

· If the school has to temporarily close because of a confirmed case of Covid-19 in the school or if another lockdown is ordered by the UK government. We will obviously keep you informed should this be the case.

In the event of your student having to quarantine or self-isolate, the meal requirements might change:

· Student can switch to FULL BOARD all week for an extra £30 per week. This is the default option for students under the age of 18.

· Students can stay on their current meal plan at no extra cost and arrange their own lunches to be delivered (takeaway, home delivery etc). This option is only available for adult students.

Yes, online classes are available as well as physical classes in school. It means that students can still follow their classes if they have to self-isolate. It also means that they will need access to a decent internet connection should that be the case.

· Recruitment of new hosts temporarily suspended until transmission rate reduces

· For existing hosts, checks will be conducted online